Number of registered unemployed is the lowest of the last 25 months, reveals Sérgio Ávila
The Vice-President of the Government revealed in Ponta Delgada that the number of registered unemployed in the region in late March was "the lowest of the last 25 months."
"We have been dropping the number of registered unemployed in comparison with the same month of the previous year for 11 consecutive months," Sérgio Ávila said, stressing that this is a sign of recovery of the regional economy.
Speaking at the session for the presentation of the accession procedure to the "Azores Brand" seal, Sérgio Ávila emphasised that the promotion of employment implies the "recovery of Azorean products," with positive effects on regional production structures.
"With the 'Azores Brand', a unique certified brand, I believe that consumers anywhere will be able to identify an Azorean product and associate this concept to something that is certified by nature, which is indubitably our main asset."
For the Vice-President of the Government, "it is important to say to all Azoreans that consuming Azorean products creates jobs for Azoreans and that when we have the option to consume a product from outside the Region, we will be contributing to employment creation outside the archipelago."
In addition to the beneficial effects of the 'Azores Brand' in the Region, "it is important to promote the Azores as something certified by nature in external markets, whether in Mainland Portugal or in other countries," said Sérgio Ávila.
"If this concept is properly associated, it will identify an image of qualify, assurance and improvement that will bring added value to our products and boost their sales," said the government official.
The Vice-President revealed that, even though the adherence process is still at an early stage, there are already 22 companies that have submitted the application of products. In fact, there is even one product that already bears the seal - "queijadas da Graciosa" (traditional sweet).
Moreover, Sérgio Ávila expects that the rules to service businesses will be concluded by the second half of the year. "Despite having a different nature and being less tangible, this type of business should be duly safeguarded in order to prevent the improper of the brand."
In this regard, the Regional Government is preparing legislation that establishes penalties and fines for the misuse of the "Azores Brand" seal. The Regional Inspection of Economic Activities will be responsible for its adequate supervision in the archipelago.
The monitoring actions outside the archipelago will be carried out by the Authority for Food and Economic Safety (ASAE), an entity with which the Regional Government collaborates on a regular basis. This body has already detected a case of advertising that falsely identified a certain product as being of Azorean origin.
This presentation session on the accession procedures to the "Azores Brand" took place in Ponta Delgada and will be followed by many others to be held throughout the archipelago in the first half of 2015.
The sessions are specifically addressed at businesspeople from the agri-food and craft sector. Nevertheless, the Government plans to expand the "Azores Brand" use to service businesses in the second half of 2015.
Those who wish to adhere to the quality seal can do so at the electronic address www.marcaacores.pt. It brings immediately several competitive advantages, such as the access to communication and marketing campaigns promoted by SDEA, the coordinator of the brand, governmental departments and partner entities.